Dear Neighbor,
I hope you are staying warm in this cold Michigan weather! Be sure to take extra care when going outside or traveling this month. Bundle up and stay warm, watch out for ice, and pay attention to the changing conditions. Below, you’ll find updates on how to keep yourself safe from another dangerous counterpart of our notorious Michigan winters — influenza.
You’ll also find updates on how I’m continuing to advocate for the needs of our residents in the Michigan Senate. I’m excited about the road ahead and remain committed to serving our community by working on the issues that matter most to you. Stay tuned for more updates as we begin advancing our legislative priorities for 2026!
If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening, or needs assistance of any sort, please feel free to reach out to my office. You can reach me and my team by emailing SenDPolehanki@senate.michigan.gov or calling 517-373-7350.
Sincerely,
Dayna Polehanki
State Senator
District 5
- From preventing students from being distracted in the classroom to tackling rising utility costs, Senate Democrats have started 2026 off strong by advancing legislation in recent weeks to protect Michigan kids and consumers. Learn more below.
- I hosted a community conversation in Garden City last week and got the chance to chat with engaged members of our community about the issues that matter most to them. Read on to learn more.
- Flu season is officially here, so it’s important for you and your loved ones to take the proper precautions to stay healthy and safe. Read on for more information.
Putting Michigan Kids Over Clicks
This week, I joined my colleagues at a press conference to spread awareness on the emerging dangers of unfettered social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage on Michigan kids — and our new legislation to help address these risks. I proudly championed the ‘Kids Over Clicks’ package to hold Big Tech companies accountable for unethical, predatory practices that exploit and endanger minors here in Michigan.
Our bills — crafted in tandem with industry experts, advocates, and parents — would establish commonsense safety standards to better protect our youth from data privacy concerns, rampant online targeting, and exploitation. More specifically, my bill — the Leading Ethical AI Development (LEAD) for Kids Act — would ensure that dangerous AI companion chatbots are inaccessible to kids, including those that have the capability to encourage self-harming behaviors, illegal activities, sexually explicit interactions, etc.
This legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection where they await further review.
Restricting Student Cell Phone Usage in Schools: Championing a Bipartisan Compromise
After months of leading negotiations with my counterparts in the Michigan House, we recently struck a bipartisan, bicameral compromise on legislation to restrict student cell phone use in schools. And this week, the Senate passed my bill, Senate Bill 495, and House Bill 4141 with bipartisan support to require all public school districts to implement cell phone policies to reduce student usage and distractions during instructional time with exceptions for emergencies.
I’m proud to have worked across the aisle and across chambers to find common ground on a solution that best meets the needs of our schools. My bill has been sent to the House for further consideration, and House Bill 4141 now heads to the governor’s desk for her review.
Tackling Rising Energy Costs
While the costs of everything from gas and groceries continue to put a squeeze on Michiganders, utility costs are only adding to the burden. To combat outrageous energy rates — which have gone up 11% since Jan. 2025 — legislation introduced by Senate Democrats last week would establish a multiyear rate plan to set utility prices for multiple years, preventing surprise spikes in monthly bills.
Senate Bill 768, championed by my colleague Sen. Hertel, would lock in energy rates for years at a time, providing necessary relief for Michiganders now while also giving families more financial security and stability in the future. This legislation has been sent to the Senate Energy and Environment Committee where it awaits further review.
Rx Kids Launching in Detroit
During her first days in office, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield announced the highly effective Rx Kids program will launch within the first 100 days of her administration, offering medical cash prescriptions for Detroit’s new moms and babies!
Originally tailored to uplift the city of Flint, Rx Kids supports expectant and new mothers during the most critical time in an infant’s life. Created in partnership with Dr. Mona Hanna and Michigan State University, Rx Kids provides life-changing financial security that is universal and unconditional. Moms receive $1,500 during pregnancy, and babies receive $500 a month for six to 12 months after birth. Having championed Rx Kids since its inception, Senate Democrats further expanded Rx Kids in the 2026 budget and are helping ensure the game-changing program can reach more communities across the state.
With an estimated 8,000 babies born in Detroit every year, this historic expansion will set a standard for how cities and states show up for families when it matters most — and help support the newest Detroiters to have safe and healthy futures. Rx Kids is also now underway in Lake County and certain communities in Saginaw and Berrien counties.
To learn more about Rx Kids’ initiatives and when enrollment opens near you, click here.
Garden City Community Conversation
Thanks to all the Senate District 5 residents who braved the snow last week to come out to my community conversation in Garden City! We discussed a variety of issues, from data centers, foster care, DTE, and the school cell phone bill I championed.
Michiganders Continue to Feel Relief from Senate Dems’ EITC Expansion
While the costs of housing, utilities, and everyday essentials remain sky-high, legislation that my Senate Democratic colleagues and I championed back in 2023 continues to deliver relief for Michiganders across the state today. As part of the largest tax relief initiative in Michigan history, we quintupled Michigan’s match of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 6% to 30% to help families who need it most.
With EITC Awareness Day around the corner, we’re uplifting the power of fair tax policy to help residents make ends meet. For the 2025 tax filing season, an average state EITC of $890 was delivered to approximately 665,000 recipients. When combined with the average federal EITC of $2,966, eligible families received a total average credit of $3,856. These are real dollars we are putting back in the pockets of hard-working Michiganders, helping alleviate the costs of rent, groceries, gas, and everything in between.
To learn more about this historic tax break and other ways we are lowering costs for you and your family, click here. To check if you qualify for the EITC, click here.
Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life & Legacy
As your state Senator, I am determined to ensure Michigan is a place where everyone is guaranteed a safe, successful, and just future, no matter your matter race, gender, sexual orientation, income, or any other identity that may shape us. As elected officials, our actions — not only our words, but the policies we put in place and the programs that impact our citizens —should emphasize and expand equity for all Michiganders.
This week and throughout the month of January and beyond, we recognize the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. — whose unwavering leadership, bravery, and persistence instilled a more just future for the United States. His inspiring work and collaboration with other civil rights activists helped create a progressive foundation for our nation that we aspire to expand upon today.
From introducing policy that tackles racial and ethnic health disparities, expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, investing in our youngest Michiganders, strengthening voting rights and access, and more, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I are dedicated to Dr. King’s work towards justice for all. We remain focused on sponsoring purposeful legislation and investments to uplift Michigan residents and communities, especially for those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented.
Protecting Yourself During Flu Season
As you may have noticed in your community, flu season has hit Michigan at full force. The Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDDHS) recommends these steps in order to protect you and your loved ones from this serious illness:
- Take time to get the flu vaccine — the most effective way to prevent flu is to get vaccinated every year!
- Take everyday preventative actions, such as:
- Avoiding close contact with other people who are sick;
- Staying home when you are sick;
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
- And practicing other good health habits, like getting plenty of sleep, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and eating nutritious foods.
- Take flu antiviral drugs to combat illness if your doctor recommends them.
For more information and resources about flu season, click here.